Gang Members Tell Of Teen`s Beating

December 10, 1991

WAUKEGAN — Two Waukegan gang members testified Monday in Lake County Court that they were at the scene when 15-year-old Keith Smith was beaten unconscious for wanting to quit the gang, but said they did not participate in the beating.

Felipe Diaz, 20, of Waukegan, told the court he was standing about 70 feet from where Smith and the gang gathered for the exiting ritual.

A second witness, Hosea Medina, 17, of North Chicago, said he saw the brutalized Smith lying in a ditch.

The two testified briefly before Judge William Block. Both said they were not present during the entire incident.

The hearing is scheduled to reconvene Tuesday.

On Aug. 15, Smith, the son of a local Baptist minister, went to Yoeman Park to meet members of his gang and accept punishment for wanting out.

Police said he was punched and kicked over and over again, beaten so badly that he was knocked unconscious and his face disfigured. He was hospitalized for several weeks in a comatose state.

Four members of the gang have been arrrested in connection with the incident including Diaz, Francisco Acquirre, 23, who Diaz said was the gang`s chief, Victor Morales, 19, and Roberto Dominguez, 20, all of Waukegan.

Last week, Assistant State`s Atty. Mary S. Schostok said Dominguez pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. He will be sentenced on Dec. 20 and faces up to 10 years in prison.